Artist’s work steeped in ‘coolness’

It is no wonder Sara Ray’s artwork is steeped in coolness. Having grown up as a member of one of the most famous surfing families in the world in Hermosa Beach, Calif., with a mother who was a “vintage maniac,” her early years were filled hot rods, big waves, antique collecting, painting and wrenching in the garage to the sounds of Elvis and Black Flag.

With a 1954 Chevy sitting in her driveway, Barris customs in the family garage and famous hot rodders as family friends, it is no wonder the four-wheeled beauties became a regular subject of her artistic focus.

“As I became a better and more skilled artist I started drawing cars, I would render the chrome in pencil and draw and redraw it until it became almost abstract over time,” Ray said.

Her work leapt from the page and onto moving canvasses when she painted her first motorcycle in high school — in trade for a new leather jacket — setting the tone for what would be a career as a renowned, respected and well-loved artist within the kustom culture, hot rod and motorcycle communities.

Sara Ray’s work leapt from the page and onto moving canvasses when she painted her first motorcycle in high school — in trade for a new leather jacket. Photo courtesy of Sara Ray.

“I love painting bikes,” Ray said. “They don’t go over a couch never to be seen again, they ride out into the world, on view for all.”

Her love of cars and bikes isn’t one she satiates with her paintbrush, though, as over the years, she has owned some real great classic American rides, including a 1972 Chevy Impala and an old Shoebox Ford.

These days, she tools around Southern California in her 1953 Buick full-custom or her 1939 Cadillac LaSalle. She also just picked up a 1973 Honda 350 she said, “Will eventually be cut up into a small ’n fast little rocker.” If she had her pick, though, she would love to have a 1940s hearse, or her dream car, a 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Torpedo Roadster — in black, “of course.”

The rides in her work often are inspired by those in her real life, and some pieces are inspired by real events. “Driven By Demons” was inspired by a dangerous trip in a Ford along the highway as a wildfire burned around them.

Ray describes other motivations for the elements of her work, “I dream about them at night — riding in them or in the background like an old noir flick, as well as the war planes which have followed me from my past life, I assume. I think at this point in my life they are part of my soul.”

The rides in Sara Ray’s work often are inspired by those in her real life, and some pieces are inspired by real events. “Driven By Demons” (shown) was inspired by a dangerous trip in a Ford along the highway as a wildfire burned around them. Photo courtesy of Sara Ray.

Sara Ray described other motivations for elements of her work, “I dream about them at night — riding in them or in the background like an old noir flick, as well as the war planes (right) which have followed me from my past life, I assume. I think at this point in my life they are part of my soul.” Photo courtesy of Sara Ray.

Her next projects include an art book of her work that is in development, sketching onto a few custom Fender guitars and focusing on tattooing again, in addition to the regular motorcycle tanks and full-size art pieces she consistently is creating.

“I see my city as a native does and want to speak its language onto a canvas — I hope that every piece I create shows a little bit of understanding and makes it a little more beautiful through the smog and traffic and seemingly endless asphalt here.”